Vote on Kane County Board appointee may point to local GOP unrest
The Kane County Board appointed a new Democrat to its ranks Tuesday, but a rare non-unanimous vote may have hinted at a budding strain between moderate and conservative GOP members.
Brian Dahl will fill the seat vacated May 22 by Democrat Ron Ford. Law requires the appointee be from the same political party as the person resigning. During the process, Kane County Democrats were quick to say they would defer to Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen's wishes. But that may be because Dahl's name quickly rose to the top of a list of four finalists for the seat.
Dahl, of North Aurora, has deep union ties stretching back at least 16 years. He has publicly supported Kane County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Guethle during Guethle's runs for public office in North Aurora. Dahl is employed by Painters District Council 30 where he serves as membership director and fiduciary trustee for the union's health insurance, pension and training funds. He is also the vice president of the Fox Valley Building and Trades Council.
In 2012, Dahl appeared before the county board to fight against an attempt by Republican county board members to erase mandated participation in training and apprenticeship programs for contractors bidding on projects paid for entirely by local government funds. Those training programs are viewed by some Republicans as the gateway to union membership.
That 2012 vote was the first time Drew Frasz, the Republican vice chairman of the county board, clashed with Dahl's union-supportive views. It may not be the last.
On Tuesday, Frasz was one of two "no" votes on Dahl's appointment. Former Kane County Republican Party Chairman Barb Wojnicki was the other "no" vote.
"If you look at his resume, he's clearly focused on advancing the union agenda, and I don't think that's a good thing for the residents of Kane County," Frasz said in an interview. "You don't get full-time jobs at the union hall without being well indoctrinated into the cause."
Frasz recently clashed with union supporters as he pushed for the county to support Gov. Bruce Rauner's turnaround agenda. The county eventually passed a resolution expressing general support for financial reform in state government.
On Tuesday, Lauzen shunned Frasz' attempt to move into a closed-door session to discuss Dahl's qualifications. Lauzen said Dahl was the best of four highly-qualified candidates to fill the seat for the 18 months remaining before the seat is up for re-election.
"If in anyone's opinion there is a person who might do a better job, that's what elections are for," Lauzen said. "Mr. Dahl will run. There will be at least one other candidate who will run. It will be decided, eventually, by the voters and the people of this district, as it should be."
Frasz said his constituents would like to see the Republican majority on the county board flex its muscle a little more and appoint at least moderate Democrats when the opportunity arises. Frasz supported Auroran Charlie Zine for the spot. Zine is the chairman of Aurora's sustainability commission. He was heavily involved with bringing the city's RiverEdge Park to life.
For his part, Dahl downplayed his union activities on Tuesday. He pointed to his advanced degree in public administration and experience with public policy, labor management, pensions and insurance as the strong points he brings to the table.
"I know I come from a labor background, but I think it's very important that I understand both sides and that I don't make harsh decisions without looking at the issue first. I have a lot of respect for my fellow board members."